Neglected and underutilised crops are domesticated plant species used for food, medicine, trading, or cultural practices within local communities but not widely commodified or studied as part of mainstream agriculture. Such crops may be in declining production. They are considered underutilised in scientific inquiry for their perceived potential to contribute to knowledge regarding nutrition, food security, genetic resistance, or sustainability.
What defines nus?
Neglected: They receive little attention and investment from agricultural research, development, and extension services.
Underutilized: They are not used as widely as they could be in farming, food systems, and markets.
Species: They can include local crop varieties, wild relatives of crops, and other plants.
why are they important?
Nutritional diversity: NUS often have rich nutrient profiles that can combat malnutrition.
Environmental resilience: Many NUS are adapted to local conditions and can thrive in marginal or arid areas, requiring less water and fewer external inputs.
Food security: Promoting NUS can diversify food production and consumption, making food systems more robust and resilient to climate change and shocks.
Cultural preservation: They are part of traditional agricultural systems and local diets, holding cultural significance for communities.
Poverty reduction: Supporting the production and marketing of NUS can provide new income streams for smallholder farmers, especially women.